Local activists warn of ‘civil disobedience’ over Keystone Pipeline

ASHEVILLE, NC — Local activists put Federal Building manager Mike Caldwell on notice today that they will be back to commit peaceful civil disobedience if President Obama’s administration recommends approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. Local activists are targeting the Federal Building, to urge the Obama Administration to stop the delays and conflict-ridden decision process and reject Keystone XL once and for all.

Similar letter deliveries are happening around the country at the locations of more than 100 sit-ins already planned as part of the Pledge of Resistance.

Keystone XL is a Canadian oil pipeline that would transport some of the dirtiest crude on the planet through American soil so it can be exported to China. Local activists delivered notices to the Federal Building’s manager Mike Caldwell that read in part, “We represent more than 75,000 Americans who have taken the Keystone XL Pledge of Resistance. We pledge, if necessary, to engage in acts of dignified, peaceful civil disobedience that could result in our arrest in order to send the message to President Obama and his administration that they must reject the Keystone XL pipeline.”

“President Obama promised us that he will take real action to fight climate change and we’re here to hold him to that promise,” said Greg Yost, from Asheville, NC. “Keystone XL is a step backward, and a real threat to Asheville and every other community in this country. That’s why I’m willing to risk arrest to hold the president to his word, and why tens of thousands of others are standing with me.”

The campaign is part of the Keystone XL Pledge of Resistance, where more than 75,000 people have committed to risk arrest in peaceful civil disobedience if President Obama’s administration issues a draft National Interest Determination recommending approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. The Pledge of Resistance is organized by CREDO, Rainforest Action Network and The Other 98% to stop the Keystone XL pipeline from destroying the climate and endangering communities with the risk of toxic oil spills. Read the Pledge of Resistance here: http://nokxl.org/wp-content/kxl_pledge.html

Despite false claims by TransCanada, the proposed pipeline will likely increase gas prices in the Midwest and create just 50 permanent jobs. The Keystone XL pipeline will carry the same of kind of toxic tar sands oil that spilled in Mayflower, Arkansas, where the homes are now being demolished and local residents are riddled with health problems.